Ski resorts in Austria are set to lose a fortune as a baffling rise in temperatures has left resorts in the Tirol and Salzburg without any snow.
Temperatures are so high that even high-powered snow cannons can't make snow fast enough before it's melted by the sun.
Kuhtai ski resort spokesman Wilhelm Mareiler said: ’This year it is a very out of the ordinary situation.
There has been absolutely no snow. We can’t make snow either as it is not cold enough. We will have to delay opening for a week or two and hope it snows in the meantime.’
There has been no snow for 31 days in the Austrian Alps where temperatures are still higher than 10C.
The season in Austria doesn’t start in earnest until mid-December, but resort managers there will still be looking with envy across the Alps at France, where most resorts have already received good dustings.
However, Met Office forecaster Steven Keates told MailOnline that skiers and snowboarders heading to Austria in December don't need to panic.
‘Although lower resorts could struggle, relative to what they have had, the month ahead is looking better.
'There’s a slowly increasing chance of snow, but fortunes aren’t going to change hugely. If there is snow, though, it could last because it will stay fairly dry.
'However, over the next five to seven days there won’t be much change because there’s a mass of high pressure milling around.’
He added: ‘It would be unheard of if it didn’t snow some more, though.’
Becky Horton, a UK spokesperson for Tirol Tourist board, argued that the lack of snow is only more apparent because we've been spoiled in the past.
She said: 'It could be better but we have to remember that it is still November and we have been lucky in previous years that the snow has come early – traditionally ski resorts open Christmas week so we still have time for plenty for snow.
'Tirol is home to five glacier ski regions – Stubai, Kaunertal, Soelden, Hintertux and Pitztal – all of which have been open for skiing since October.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2064923/Popular-Austrian-ski-resorts-report-worrying-lack-snow.html
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